Indonesia's KPK detains Kediri Customs chief over corruption allegations

Indonesia's Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detained Gatot Heroe Hernanda, the Head of the Customs and Excise Service Office (KPP) in Kediri, for alleged corruption. Hernanda was taken into custody for an initial 20-day period following his examination on Wednesday afternoon.

Emerging from his interrogation at the KPK headquarters, Hernanda, clad in the agency's distinctive orange detainee vest and handcuffed, offered no comment to the media. He was escorted by KPK guards and police into a waiting vehicle, en route to the KPK detention center.

The KPK is expected to hold a press conference later Wednesday to detail the full scope of the alleged corruption case involving Hernanda, who previously served in the Directorate of Enforcement and Investigation from June 2023 to February 2026. As part of the investigation, the KPK has seized three high-powered motorcycles linked to Hernanda and other involved parties.

This detention stems from new investigation orders issued by the KPK concerning alleged corruption within the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. These orders were based on legal findings emerging from a bribery trial involving import goods. While Hernanda is the sole suspect in the first investigation order, the KPK will search for suspects in the second order as the investigation progresses. Previously, on August 5, the KPK questioned three individuals who were defendants in another case as witnesses: Rizal, Director of Enforcement and Investigation; Sisprian Subiaksono, Head of Intelligence for Enforcement and Investigation; and Orlando Hamonangan, Head of Customs Intelligence Section I.